Ensuring Access to Education Through Scholarships

Roycealee J. Wood ’62, ’64 MS provides undergraduate scholarship support with retirement assets

Roycealee J. Wood ’62, ’64 MS was keenly aware of the importance of education, thanks to her parents. It was imperative to them that their only child study away from their Rockford, Illinois, home to gain independence. While visiting her late cousin, John Freeman ’60, then an undergraduate business student at Northwestern, Mrs. Wood fell in love with the University and decided to enroll.

Active in theater in high school, Mrs. Wood initially enrolled in the School of Communication, formerly the School of Speech, as a creative drama major. Switching to a speech major allowed her to continue drama studies while concurrently earning an elementary education teaching certificate. As an undergraduate, Mrs. Wood joined the Zeta Phi Eta Communication Sorority.

“Being a Zeta was very important and historical, as the sorority began at Northwestern,” she said. The experience fostered meaningful friendships, and today, Mrs. Wood remains active with her local alumni group.

Mrs. Wood graduated with her master’s degree, married her late husband, Kenneth, and began working in the North Chicago School District as a counselor and teacher—all within the month of August 1964. Rising through the ranks, she eventually became assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. In July 2003, she assumed the elected position of Regional Superintendent of Schools for Lake County, Illinois—a role from which she plans to retire, after decades of service, in 2018.

As a supporter of Northwestern for over 40 years and platinum member of NU Loyal, Mrs. Wood knew that the University would be included in her estate plan, specifically scholarships for the School of Communication and School of Education and Social Policy.

“Northwestern gave me a whole different picture of life,” explained Mrs. Wood. Her parents saved for her education, and Mrs. Wood acknowledges how lucky she was to graduate without a single loan. She wants to afford others the same opportunity.

In 2014, together with her financial advisor and a member of the Office of Gift Planning, Mrs. Wood elected to use part of her individual retirement account (IRA) to provide a testamentary gift to Northwestern. The Office of Gift Planning welcomes the opportunity to work alongside individuals and their advisors throughout the estate planning process.

“Everybody can be a gift to someone else,” said Mrs. Wood, who advises others to be philanthropic at every level. “Give to humanity for the future. Give any resources available to you. Give as much as you can for as long as you can. Think how you can improve the future by educating youngsters.”

Make a Gift for the Future
Learn about the many ways you can make a future gift to support Northwestern by contacting Northwestern Gift Planning at 800-826-6709 or giftplanning@northwestern.edu.